Q. What is the difference between metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis and what is the difference between metabolic alkalosis and respiratory alkalosis?
Respiratory acidosis is that in which the blood pH is low due to increased retention of carbon dioxide caused by the lowering of the respiratory frequency or by pulmonary diseases that impair the gas exchange so the cause of the respiratory acidosis is the pulmonary respiration. Metabolic acidosis is that in which the blood pH is low due to metabolic disturbances but not due to the pulmonary retention of carbon dioxide. Some metabolic disturbances result in liberation in the blood of nonvolatile acids that release hydrogen ions lowering the blood pH for example diabetic ketoacidosis.
Respiratory alkalosis is that in which the pH is high due to increased expelling of carbon dioxide that caused by elevated respiratory frequency. Metabolic alkalosis is the alkalosis caused by metabolic disturbances that enlarge the concentration of bases (alkalis) in the blood.